Category Archives: Places I’ve Been

Rijeka

There are few greater small pleasures in life than taking the train through a new country.

In this case, I was nearing the end of a month-long Interrail trip with a group of friends in one of my summers out from University. For our transport, we had taken the night train from Bratislava to Rijeka after a glorious few days exploring the Tatra mountains on the Slovakian-Polish border.

Sleeping on a night train feels like sleeping and waking in a world where neither time nor reality exists. At the same time, the discomfort of a small bunk for anyone over 150cm tall, the cramped shared bathrooms per train car or the loud snoring of a nearby bunk mate can be a rude awakening, both literally and metaphorically.

Uist

The water here is bluer than the holiday brochures of Mediterranean all-inclusives and Caribbean cruises. Even better, there are more sheep, too. So, I couldn’t help but gasp aloud as we rounded the next bend and another bay appeared glittering with bright turquoise water, the sand underneath a pristine white. The land that the waterContinue reading “Uist”

Stockholm

The clicking of my camera accompanies my walk down a copper-coloured alleyway with a glass-blowing merchant on my right and a green shuttered townhouse on my left.

The street is cobbled, but no rumblings can be heard, as no cars would dare venture down these narrow side streets. They remain confined away from the central pedestrian areas of Gamla Stan, an island that makes up much of the city’s old town that could be mistaken for somewhere in France, Italy or Austria. Renaissance meets medieval meets old sandstone architecture in varying shares of red, orange, yellow, and the sun shines in burnt tones onto the walls. I am surrounded by four—and five-story blocks making up a labyrinth of alleys and wider people-filled streets with postcard stands and cafe chairs spilling onto the cobbles.

Bergen

It rained.
It rained the whole time.
But the smell of rain made it worthwhile.
After possibly the most beautiful train ride in the world, I stepped off the train into the deluge outside, in search of my hotel.
In Bergen, Norway.
The city is located on the west coast of Norway’s Bergenshalvøyen peninsula and with it being surrounded by mountains it felt very much like another world compared to the fairly urban centre of Oslo I had just come from.

Copenhagen

So here I was. Copenhagen. A city I had dreamed of visiting ever since my mum had told me stories of the architecture and the danish way of life and Hygge. I was finally here as my third stop on my month long Interrail trip.

With my monstrously heavy rucksack in tow, and stepping off the train I had last boarded five hours ago in Hamburg, the towering wooden ceiling of the antique Central station with its chandeliers reminded me more of a cathedral than a station. The air outside was warm and filled with the smells of cars and hot dogs from the steaming stands near the bike racks filled to the brim. This was the city of cyclists after all. Cycle lanes were bigger than most road lanes.

Junquillal

Visiting a new continent entirely on my own is not how I thought I’d start my summer. I also didn’t think that I’d be shovelling sand on a beach and seeing an Olive Ridley turtle with my own eyes, but here we are.
Junquillal, Costa Rica. 
When I took my first step off the bus after a fresh bout of rain that left the dark asphalt steaming, I did not expect such a small village to emerge from the greenery on the roadside.

Edinburgh

Dimly narrow passages lead to cobbled yards; large green squares encased by great glass restaurant frontages; quaint shops adjoined by speciality coffee shops bustling with students and beach goers watching swimsuit clad individuals run into the freezing North Sea, make Edinburgh what it is.

A city.

But is it really?

Agra

“Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart.” – Ancient Indian proverb There are few Indian cities that boast the delights that Agra seems to have been bestowed with over the centuries. With its forts, endlessly interesting ancient ruins and one of the seven great wonders of the world, withinContinue reading “Agra”

Santa Cruz

I could never, in a hundred summers, get tired of this. – susan branch This seaside city is one I will forever endeavour to return to. It’s essence is something that cannot be found anywhere else, which makes it one of the most memorable places I’ve had the privilege of passing through. From the famousContinue reading “Santa Cruz”